“Knowledge Authority” and “The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation” sign a strategic cooperation agreement

The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Foundation concluded a strategic cooperation agreement on the sidelines of the World Government Summit, with the aim of developing leadership skills among young people and promoting internationally recognized non-formal learning paths, which are offered outside the traditional academic framework in the Emirate of Dubai.
The agreement reflects a shared belief that preparing young people for the future is not limited to academic excellence only, but also requires developing leadership skills, flexibility, self-confidence, community service, and quality of life, as essential life skills for success in a world witnessing rapid transformations.
Aisha Abdullah Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, said: “Our vision for education in Dubai is to prepare young people to pass life’s tests. Through the Education 2033 Strategy, we focus on empowering learners with leadership skills, and building a confident, capable and future-ready generation, with a strong character and a clear sense of purpose. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to youth development and expanding internationally recognized learning opportunities and pathways, enabling emerging generations to achieve their full potential.”
For his part, Secretary General of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, Martin Houghton-Brown, said: “We are pleased to work closely with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai to understand how best to ensure that every young man and woman, from different cultural backgrounds, is able to develop the skills necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities of life and work in the twenty-first century. We look forward to learning from Dubai’s youth, their parents, and teachers over the coming months.”
This partnership brings together more than seven decades of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation’s global experience in youth empowerment, and the aspirations of the Dubai Education Strategy 2033, which pays great attention to empowering all learners with the skills of the future, and building an educational system that is centered around the learner in the first place, and is based on designing his educational career according to his individual needs.
The agreement also establishes a framework for strategic dialogue and joint cooperation between the two parties to enhance youth leadership skills, develop life skills, and build personality, in line with Dubai’s long-term ambitions in the fields of education and human development.
Under this partnership, the two parties will discuss ways to enhance and consolidate internationally recognized non-formal learning pathways within the private education system in Dubai, while ensuring their compatibility with the strategic priorities and future aspirations of the emirate.
The two parties will work to enhance communication and listen to the youth of Dubai, their parents, and their teachers, to ensure that the partnership is based on their needs and keeps pace with their aspirations, ensuring that all Dubai’s youth are given the opportunity to develop their skills, enhance their self-confidence, and build their leadership capabilities necessary for success in the present and the future.